Geoffrey Rees-Jones | |
Full Name: | Geoffrey Rippon Rees-Jones |
Birth Date: | 8 July 1914 |
Birth Place: | Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
Death Place: | Strang, Isle of Man |
Occupation: | Schoolmaster |
School: | Ipswich School |
University: | University College, Oxford |
Position: | Wing |
Repyears1: | 1934–36 |
Repcaps1: | 5 |
Reppoints1: | 6 |
Geoffrey Rippon Rees-Jones (8 July 1914 — 13 September 2004) was a Welsh international rugby union player.[1]
Rees-Jones was born to Welsh parents in Ipswich. He was educated at Ipswich School and set a long-standing school record for the 440 yards. A three-time blue, Rees-Jones read mathematics and physics at University College, Oxford.[2]
Between 1934 and 1936, Rees-Jones gained five Wales caps as a wing three-quarter and is most noted for his contribution to a win over the All Blacks at Cardiff in 1935. After trailing at half-time, Rees-Jones set up a try to Claude Davey with a cross-kick, then scored two tries himself, the last with two minutes remaining to secure a 13–12 victory.[3]
Rees-Jones, brigade major, got mentioned in dispatches serving with the Commandos during World War II and was part of a force which captured Diego-Suarez from the Vichy French on Madagascar.[2]
A teacher by profession, Rees-Jones was headmaster of Bembridge School from 1954 to 1958, after which he served as principal of King William's College on the Isle of Man until 1979, when he retired.[3]